Best Core 2 MB for around $100

[unseengundam101]

I have looking for uATX or ATX MB for $100 for my new Core 2 system that I plan to build. Probably, going put in a E6750. I thinking about possibly over clocking E6750 to 3ghz+, but I have even clocked it. If something has easily OC capability it might be nice. This might be hard to get at this price range, so I guess its fine if I can't get one with good OC capability. Any suggestions about be helpful.

FYI, the new system will be a HTPCish system. It mainly to play back my video (xvid, h.264) anime files on HDTV. Might add true HTPC capability (PVR, etc) as upgrade in a year or so.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

Check out the Abit IP35-E review at MB forum. 100% passively cooled (no noisy fan). $65 AR and PriceGrabber review. Board is 100% compatible with $10/GB HP DDR2 667 RAM at Hot Deals forum. You should be able to push a capable E6750 to 3.2GHz without any problem.

If you don't have a chip at this time, then check out E2160 or E2180. These $80 CPUs will also be able to hit +3.2GHz using the same MB/RAM combo.

$65 MB plus $20 RAM.

http://forums.anandtech.com/me...=2099932&enterthread=y

 

[unseengundam101]

That ABit MB looks good. Is there any other suggestions? Looking at new egg at that price change there actually doesn't seem to be too many other MBs (at least that support 1333 fsb).

 

[jonmcc33]

That's the best you can get for that price IMO. The rest use 945, SiS and VIA chipsets, which are ugh!

 

[Basilisk]

'Pondering my next next m/b, and leaning towards the Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L. The NE owber-reviews suggest far fewer problems with this than with the aBit. eTech4sale.com has it for ~$104 shipped. 'Guess the only reason I haven't ordered it is I can't decide in the new processor! Sounds like all the C2D's OC to 3.3-3.5GHz, but the less expensive C2D's usually have small L2 caches. Sigh... decisions, decisions... the only thing I'm sure of is I don't want to spend >$200, and that eliminates quads.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

IP35-E...price war with MWAVE...$66 AR plus $5 PriceGrabber review. Final cost is $61 plus shipping.

 

[unseengundam101]

Guess I bit just go with the Abit MB. I am still trying decide what CPU to get. Most of Core2 cpu big cache ranges for $151 to $192 (pricewatch.com). For $151 you get e6300 (1066 fsb), for $173 you get E6650 (1333 fsb). Then only for $19 more you can get E6750... I guess it might all depend on how much I want to over clock a CPU in HTPC (silent and less heat are important here). I probably go make post in CPU forum and see what the suggestions are.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

For HTPC, E2160 is the best deal for your $. Easy 3.0GHz oveclock. 3.4GHz with a good chip. Runs cool.

 

[unseengundam101]

I just went down to Fry's too look at the MBs myself. I just noticed the capacitors in the Abit aren't that good compared to the gigabyte. Don't think that will matter that much though. However, Abit has 3-pin SPDIF HMDI header for vid cars, can't seem to find them on the gigabyte.

For for CPU, since I have not over clocked before I weary about my ability get it CPU very high. Also, looking at some review the E2160 800 fsb isn't too great for games. I might play games sometimes on that HTPC. Still sort of leave me thinking what to get. I went ahead created post on CPU forum (before I saw your message) though.

 

[SerpentRoyal]

IP35-E uses 100% Japanese caps. Those next to the CPU are solid caps. Same setup as the high-end Intel boards. Japanese electrolytic caps will run at least 5-7 years. Solid caps is a market tool used to attract noobs. IP35-E has a very robust power section and fan headers.